Will enter politics as people want me to: Deepa Jayakumar

She said although she never claimed to be Jayalalithaa�s political heir, she is being perceived as such by the people due to their blood relation

Although VK Sasikala has been made AIADMK general secretary, the late J Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar is fast emerging as her possible rival after she made her intentions clear of entering into politics following her aunt’s footsteps.

India Today has reported her as saying that she will be joining politics as “this is what the people want and state want development”.

Talking to Times of India, she said although she never claimed to be Jayalalithaa’s political heir, she is being perceived as such by the people due to their blood relation.

Although, Sasiskala has been chosen as the AIADMK chief, all party leaders are not happy with the decision. Her opponents are now approaching Deepa to become Jayalalithaa’s political successor.

Deepa said she was surprised by the number of party cadres who came to Sandhya Illam, her T Nagar residence, after Jayalalithaa's death. "I did not expect this. But this is proof of cadres' expectations," she told

TOI.

On Sunday, she addressed people gathered in front of her house, beginning her address with: "Ungalukkaga Naan (I am for you)." Jayalalithaa's refrain at the beginning of her speech used to be, "Makkalukkaga Naan (I am for the people)."

Deepa's brother, Deepak Jayakumar, who lives nearby, is said to have switched loyalties to Sasikala.

After MGR’s demise, too, Tamil Nadu had witnessed a similar situation in 1987.

The AIADMK was split into two factions – one set pledged loyalty to MGR’s legal wife, Janaki, and the other to his leading lady in 28 films, Jayalalithaa. Although Janaki was sworn in as Tamil Nadu’s first woman Chief Minister, with her faction producing 97 MLAs out of AIADMK’s 132 before the Governor, within two weeks of MGR’s demise, her government was dismissed by the Centre. In the election that followed in1989, Jayalalithaa ended up with 27 seats against Janaki’s 2.

Ten days after the elections, MGR’s wife announced that she had “decided to quit politics and not hinder anyone”.

In today’s scenario, Sasikala is staking her claim on Jayalalithaa, citing her three-decade old association with the former Chief Minister, while it is more personal than political for Deepa. Whom the people of Tamil Nadu will accept as their ‘Chinamma’ remains to be seen!